My bday celebrations where full of japanese inspired tasting menus. The day of my actual Bday I went to Chef’s table, which, like always was spectacular. No pictures of course, but an amazing meal. The summer menu was very different from the ones I had in the fall and some of the highlights were: The uni which is always spectacular, a Frozen chocolate souffle that was just magic in the mouth, the waygu (silky and amazing) and a lobster dish that was not only beautiful but extremely tasty.

The other highlight, the champagne and wine!

For a pre birthday meal we decided to try Oya in NY, which opened a few weeks ago and which im happy to report is just as good as the Boston outpost which has been a favorite for a while. Unlike Boston, NY doesn’t have a menu yet, just omakase options. We tried the 18 course one, which they could do gluten free and here is what we had:

The menu:

The most amazing sake was had:

The picture evidence:

KUMAMMOTO OYSTER

HAMACHI

OCEAN TROUT TATAKI (it was so good i forgot to take a picture!)

WARM EEL

HOUSEMADE FINGERLING POTATO CHIP

BLUEFIN TORO PERUVIAN STYLE

LEEK BLOSSOM OMELETTE

KYOTO STYLE MAITAKE MUSHROOMS

BLUEFIN TORO

SHIMA AJI & HOKKAIDO SEA URCHIN – this was spectacular, doesnt seem like it but had amazing texture

OCEAN TROUT (how gorgeous are the plates!)

KANPACHI

TUNA TATAKI

GRILLED LOBSTER – this was a picture of the rest of the tables grilled lobster. Mine didnt have the pretty tempura leaf but it was still spectacular.

GRILLED CHANTERELLE & SHITAKI MUSHROOMS

SEARED WAGYU – perfect wagyu, so tender and the sauce is spectacular

FOIE GRAS – I’ve always loved this dish, and its the classic ender to an oya omakase. foie gras and chocolate is definitely a wonderful combination

TAPIOCA PUDDING – my type of dessert. The chiso granita was awesome in it too.

of course my menu was fully gluten free which was great, but i cant not put the picture of what used to be one of my favorite dishes at oya in Boston when i was a gluten eater: the fried oyster with the black ink foam

bonus picture: my sister’s favorite, the finger wipey

My Birthday lunch also included two of my favorite liquid concoctions at Santina: the iced coconut coffee and of course a Spritz!

and to top it all off, a very creative (and of course gluten free) macaroon cake from la duree